Polygonatum kingianum

Polygonatum kingianum belongs to Asparagaceae, the asparagus family. It is a perennial, so it lives for years. It grows from rhizomes, which are stems beneath the soil. Its native range spans southern China and northern Indo-China. Records list China, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. In China, it grows in Guangxi, Guizhou, Sichuan and Yunnan. Kew places it in the temperate biome, a broad climate zone.

This plant can reach about 6.6 feet [2 metres] tall. The sources give no full-grown width for garden plants. In the wild, it grows in forests and thickets. It also grows on damp, shaded grass slopes and rocky sites. Known sites lie about 2,300–11,800 feet [700–3,600 metres] above sea level. These sites suggest that the plant suits shaded spots. The species account gives no details of leaves or stems. It gives no flower colour or shape for this species.

Plants For A Future lists blooms in April and May. Each flower has both male and female parts for breeding. Seeds ripen from September through October, after the blooms. The account does not say what pollinates the plant. It gives no fruit shape or colour either. Sow fresh seed in early autumn. The notes on raising plants suggest shade in a cold greenhouse. Sow stored seed early in the year. Seeds may take time to sprout. Young plants need years to gain size.

The species account lists full shade and part shade. Its garden notes favour dappled shade or a shaded edge. It prefers moist soil that lets excess water drain away. It can grow in sand, loam and clay soils. The listed pH range spans mildly acid to mildly alkaline. The source's growing notes leave its hardiness in Britain unclear. They give no firm lowest temperature or hardiness zone. You can also split plants to grow more. The notes list March and October for this work. Keep young seedlings in a greenhouse for their first winter.

Plants For A Future lists no known edible uses. This does not mean the plant is safe to eat. It reports no cases of toxic harm for this species. Records show past use of its root as medicine. Reported uses include treating cough, fatigue and poor appetite. These records show uses, not proof that they help. They do not prove that these uses are safe.